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Justia Daily Opinion Summaries

US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
December 1, 2020

Table of Contents

United States v. McGrath

Criminal Law

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US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Opinions

United States v. McGrath

Docket: 19-4277

Opinion Date: November 30, 2020

Judge: Roger L. Gregory

Areas of Law: Criminal Law

Defendant pleaded guilty, pursuant to a written plea agreement that contained a waiver of appeal, to coercion and enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. On appeal, defendant argued that his sentence was procedurally unreasonable and that the district court violated his due process rights. The Fourth Circuit found that defendant's challenges to his sentence fall squarely within the waiver's scope. The court explained that, by its express terms, the appeal waiver is applicable to any sentence imposed "for any reason," including "the weighing of the sentencing factors, and any constitutional challenges to the calculation and imposition of any term of imprisonment . . . ." Therefore, the appeal waiver bars any appeal of defendant's sentence based on an alleged failure to consider his nonfrivolous statistical argument or any purported due process violation. Because defendant's 264 month sentence was far below the advisory Guidelines range of life in prison, the court dismissed defendant's appeal.

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